HBA-DMD, ALS H.B. 3014 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3014 By: Hawley Transportation 10/19/1999 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Prior to the 76th Legislature, there were concerns regarding the efficiency and security of the system of automobile registration used by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Other states have implemented automated vehicle registration systems, which has greatly decreased the incidence of fraud and theft. Such automated services are able to provide 24-hour customer service, scan and verify insurance certificates, accept various methods of payment, and print directly on the registration insignia specific information regarding the vehicle. H.B. 3014 allows TxDOT to collect an additional $1 fee for a license plate or other device used as the registration insignia which may be used to enhance its automated registration and title system. This bill authorizes TxDOT to adopt rules providing for the use of an automated registration process. In addition, this bill only applies in a county that has implemented TxDOT's automated system. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking authority previously delegated to the Texas Department of Transportation is modified in SECTION 2 (Section 502.180, Transportation Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 502, Transportation Code, by adding Section 502.1705, as follows: Sec. 502.1705. ADDITIONAL FEE FOR AUTOMATED REGISTRATION AND TITLE SYSTEM. Requires the collection of $1 fee, to be used by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to enhance its automated registration and title system, provide for the automated on-site production of registration insignia, or provide for the automated onpremises and off-premises self-service registration. Provides that this section only applies in a county in which TxDOT's automated registration and title system has been implemented and in which 50,000 or more motor vehicles were registered during the preceding year. SECTION 2. Amends Section 502.180(e), Transportation Code, to authorize TxDOT to adopt rules for the issuance and use of license plates and registration insignia issued pursuant to this chapter (Registration of Vehicles) that provide for the use of a specified automated registration process. SECTION 3. Amends Sections 502.184(a) and (i), Transportation Code, to make conforming and nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 4.Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 5.Emergency clause.